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Baker819 · 06-23-2020, 02:06 PM

Hi, I need help. After installing a new harness, 4l80E with stand alone controller and some other parts I my engine doesnt seem to be getting spark. It's a 1970 350 with HEI, the harness came from Kwik wire. I have double checked my ignition switch wiring to their diagram. I have a new battery, I'd confirm battery voltage but it looks like my meter needs a new battery. It doesn't struggle to turn over though. I pulled my number one plug and valve cover and confirmed my distributor isn't 180 out and the rotor was present and not corroded. Confirmed my coil wire is connected to the BAT connection on the HEI cap. Have an unused tach wire and shift controller plugged into the tach side and confirmed the HEI wires are connected. Confirmed the wire feeding the fuse block is coming from the starter lug shared with wires going to the battery and alternator. Alternator is 150amp rated unit from powermaster, voltage sensing wire (#2) is looping back to the big cable connecting the alternator and starter and the white exciter wire (#1) is running back to fuse block with a generator light spliced into the wire.

The fuse block does have an ignition cut off switch and I tried getting spark with the switch in both positions.

I feel like I must not be getting spark... I have new fuel in my new carb and I partially filled the fuel bowls before attempting to fire it up and not one spark. I have had the truck for a long time with the same set up pretty much and even with the timing 180 out or the timing way off I can still get it to fire up. I guessed at my timing manually and its pretty close based on where the vacuum canister is.

I noticed I didnt ground my cluster yet and thats way my cluster probably wasn't lighting up. I am going to fix that and remove a spark plug and connect it to the plug wire and ground and have my son crank the engine over for me but I could really use any suggestions. I know VetteVet is on here a lot and I've read a lot of your comments, would really appreciate your opinion.

Thank you

I'm headed to town real quick and will post some pictures when I get back.

06-23-2020, 02:06 PM	#1
Baker819 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: WA Posts: 119	New harness, crank no start Hi, I need help. After installing a new harness, 4l80E with stand alone controller and some other parts I my engine doesnt seem to be getting spark. It's a 1970 350 with HEI, the harness came from Kwik wire. I have double checked my ignition switch wiring to their diagram. I have a new battery, I'd confirm battery voltage but it looks like my meter needs a new battery. It doesn't struggle to turn over though. I pulled my number one plug and valve cover and confirmed my distributor isn't 180 out and the rotor was present and not corroded. Confirmed my coil wire is connected to the BAT connection on the HEI cap. Have an unused tach wire and shift controller plugged into the tach side and confirmed the HEI wires are connected. Confirmed the wire feeding the fuse block is coming from the starter lug shared with wires going to the battery and alternator. Alternator is 150amp rated unit from powermaster, voltage sensing wire (#2) is looping back to the big cable connecting the alternator and starter and the white exciter wire (#1) is running back to fuse block with a generator light spliced into the wire. The fuse block does have an ignition cut off switch and I tried getting spark with the switch in both positions. I feel like I must not be getting spark... I have new fuel in my new carb and I partially filled the fuel bowls before attempting to fire it up and not one spark. I have had the truck for a long time with the same set up pretty much and even with the timing 180 out or the timing way off I can still get it to fire up. I guessed at my timing manually and its pretty close based on where the vacuum canister is. I noticed I didnt ground my cluster yet and thats way my cluster probably wasn't lighting up. I am going to fix that and remove a spark plug and connect it to the plug wire and ground and have my son crank the engine over for me but I could really use any suggestions. I know VetteVet is on here a lot and I've read a lot of your comments, would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you I'm headed to town real quick and will post some pictures when I get back.